The Kia Seltos is one of the most popular compact SUVs in India, thanks to its stylish design, feature-rich cabin, and powerful engine options. The Seltos was launched in 2019 and has been a strong contender in the segment ever since. However, Kia is not resting on its laurels and is planning to launch a facelifted version of the Seltos soon. The 2023 Kia Seltos facelift has been spotted testing several times without any camouflage, revealing some interesting changes in its exterior and interior. So, how does the current Kia Seltos compare with the upcoming Kia Seltos facelift model? Here is Current Seltos vs Upcoming Seltos Facelift Full camparision.
Contents
Design
The current Kia Seltos has a sharp and sporty design, with a signature tiger-nose grille, LED headlamps with DRLs, fog lamps, skid plates, roof rails, and 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear profile features LED tail lamps, a spoiler, a shark-fin antenna, and a chrome strip. The current Seltos is available in 12 colour options, including dual-tone schemes.
The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift will retain the overall silhouette of the current model, but with some noticeable tweaks. The facelifted Seltos will get a larger and more aggressive-looking grille, flanked by redesigned LED headlamps with reprofiled DRLs. The front bumper will also be Change, with a bigger air dam and a radar module for ADAS features. The side profile will feature the 18-inch alloy wheels from the X-Line trim, while the rear profile will get connected tail lamps and new bumpers with faux exhaust tips.
Interior
The current Kia Seltos has a spacious and premium cabin, with leather upholstery, ambient lighting, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Current Seltos also offers features like a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, an 8-speaker Bose sound system, a wireless charger, an air purifier, ventilated seats, cruise control, and a sunroof. The current Seltos has a boot space of 433 litres.
The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift will get a revamped cabin, with dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and the instrument cluster. The orientation of the screens will be similar to the EV6 electric crossover. The facelifted Seltos will also get a redesigned centre console, with a rotary gear selector for the automatic variants. The new Seltos will also offer some new features like a panoramic sunroof, heated seats, and six airbags as standard across the range.
Engine and Transmission
The current Kia Seltos is powered by three engine options: a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 113 bhp and 144 Nm of torque, a 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 113 bhp and 250 Nm of torque, and a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 138 bhp and 242 Nm of torque. The transmission options include a 6-speed manual, a CVT, an iMT (intelligent manual transmission), and a 7-speed DCT (dual-clutch transmission).
The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift will carry forward the same engine options as the current model, but with an addition of a new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 160 bhp and 253 Nm of torque. This engine will debut in the Hyundai Alcazar and the Kia Carens as well. The transmission options will also remain unchanged.
Price and Competition
The current Kia Seltos is price from Rs 10.89 lakh to Rs 19.19 lakh (ex-showroom). The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift is expected to be launched in July 2023 and command a premium over the current model. The new Seltos will compete with the Hyundai Creta, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara (expected to launch soon), and the Toyota Hyryder (expected to launch soon).
Current Seltos vs Upcoming Seltos Facelift Exterior Look
| Design | Current Kia Seltos | Upcoming Kia Seltos Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Grille | Tiger-nose grille | Larger and more aggressive-looking grille |
| Headlamps | LED headlamps with DRLs | Redesigned LED headlamps with reprofiled DRLs |
| Bumper | Skid plates and fog lamps | Bigger air dam and a radar module for ADAS features |
| Wheels | 17-inch alloy wheels | 18-inch alloy wheels from the X-Line trim |
| Tail lamps | LED tail lamps | Connected tail lamps |
| Bumper | Spoiler and a chrome strip | New bumpers with faux exhaust tips |
Current Seltos vs Upcoming Seltos Facelift Inteiror
| Interior | Current Kia Seltos | Upcoming Kia Seltos Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Screens | 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 7-inch digital instrument cluster | Dual 10.25-inch screens for the infotainment system and the instrument cluster |
| Centre console | Conventional gear lever for the automatic variants | Rotary gear selector for the automatic variants |
| Sunroof | Normal sunroof | Panoramic sunroof |
| Airbags | Two airbags as standard, six airbags in the top variant | Six airbags as standard across the range |
Engine Specifications
| Engine and Transmission | Current Kia Seltos | Upcoming Kia Seltos Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol engine 1 | 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine that makes 113 bhp and 144 Nm of torque | Same as current model |
| Petrol engine 2 | 1.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 138 bhp and 242 Nm of torque | Same as current model |
| Petrol engine 3 | None | 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that makes 160 bhp and 253 Nm of torque |
| Diesel engine | 1.5-litre diesel engine that makes 113 bhp and 250 Nm of torque | Same as current model |
| Transmission options | 6-speed manual, CVT, iMT, and 7-speed DCT | Same as current model |
Current Seltos vs Upcoming Seltos Facelift Safety Features
| Safety Features | Current Kia Seltos | Upcoming Kia Seltos Facelift |
|---|---|---|
| Airbags | Two airbags as standard, six airbags in the top variant | Six airbags as standard across the range |
| ABS with EBD | Standard | Standard |
| TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) | Standard | Standard |
| ESC (Electronic Stability Control) | Standard | Standard |
| HAC (Hill Start Assist Control) | Standard | Standard |
| VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) | Available in some variants | Available in some variants |
| BA (Brake Assist) | Available in some variants | Available in some variants |
| TCS (Traction Control System) | Available in some variants | Available in some variants |
| LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) | Standard | Standard |
| SBR (Seat Belt Reminder) | Standard for driver and passenger | Standard for driver and passenger |
| ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) | None | Available in some variants |
Many People Read This : Kia Seltos Waiting Period and Facelift Model Launch on 4th July 2023
People Also Read This : Tata Nexon facelift Launch
Conclusion
The current Kia Seltos is already a well-rounded package that offers style, performance, comfort, and features. The upcoming Kia Seltos facelift will take it up a notch by adding some cosmetic updates, new features, and ADAS technology. The new Seltos will also get a more powerful turbo-petrol engine option that will appeal to enthusiasts. However, the new Seltos will also face stiffer competition from its rivals